The primary goal of this study is to perform a 36-week pilot study with a cross-over design to study the safety and efficacy of a novel integrative exercise program called PLIÉ (Preventing Loss of Independence through Exercise). PLIÉ integrates elements of Eastern and Western exercise traditions and is specifically designed to target the muscles and movements needed to help individuals with mild-to-moderate dementia maintain physical function and independence.

Participant's physical function will be assessed with the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study - Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL) scale (Galasko 1997). The ADCS-ADL is a 78-point scale that assesses functional ability in 23 daily activities based on informant report. It is the standard measure for assessment of functional status in AD treatment trials.

Quality of life will be assessed with the Quality of Life Scale in Alzheimer's Disease (QOL-AD), which is a brief, 13-item measure that obtains input from both the individual and the caregiver (Logsdon 1999). Scores may range from 13-52 points.

Functional health and well-being will be assessed with the SF-36v2, which assesses function in eight domains and provides physical and mental component summary scores that may range from 0 to 70 (Stewart 1989). The SF-36v2 is typically administered directly to participants. However, we also will ask caregivers to answer questions on behalf of participants and will compare their answers to assess congruence. Data collected will help to determine if this measure is suitable for a larger trial.

Physical performance will be assessed with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), which was developed by the National Institute on Aging to provide an objective tool for evaluating lower extremity functioning in older adults. The test includes repeated chair stands, tandem balance testing and 8' walking speed (Guralnik 1994).

Participant's dementia-related behaviors will be assessed with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), which is a 144-point informant-based questionnaire that assesses 12 behavioral domains common in dementia including frequency, severity and impact on caregiver distress (Cummings 1997).

Caregivers will be asked about the functional health and well-being of themselves as well as participants using the SF-36v2, which assesses function in eight domains and provides physical and mental component summary scores that may range from 0 to 70 (Stewart 1989).

Integrative exercise program that incorporates elements of Eastern and Western exercise traditions to target the muscles and movements needed to help individuals with mild to moderate dementia maintain functional status and independence.

Integrative exercise program that incorporates elements of Eastern and Western exercise traditions to target the muscles and movements needed to help individuals with mild to moderate dementia maintain functional status and independence.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

Child, Adult, Senior

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria - Primary Participant:

Current participant in the Irene Swindells Center for Adult Day Services in San Francisco, CA

Recommended by Swindells staff

mild-to-moderate dementia

caregiver consent

Inclusion Criteria - Caregiver:

Provide care to primary participant in the Irene Swindells Center for Adult Day Services in San Francisco, CA

can provide information about the primary participant's physical functioning, behaviors, falls, quality of life and own level of stress.

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01371214

Locations

United States, California

Irene Swindells Center for Adult Day Services, Institute on Aging

San Francisco, California, United States, 94118

Sponsors and Collaborators

University of California, San Francisco

Investigators

Principal Investigator:

Deborah E Barnes, PhD, MPH

University of California, San Francisco

Principal Investigator:

Margaret Chesney, PhD

Osher Center for Intergrative Medicine, University of California, San Francisco